"Section 56-5-3890.
(A) For purposes
of this section:
(1)
'Electronic communication device' means an electronic
device used for the purpose of composing, reading, or sending an
electronic message, but does not include a global positioning
system or navigation system or a device that is physically or
electronically integrated into the motor vehicle.
(2)
'Electronic message' means a self-contained piece of
digital communication that is designed or intended to be
transmitted between physical devices. 'Electronic message'
includes, but is not limited to electronic mail, a text message,
an instant message, or a command or request to access an
Internet site.
(B) A person may not
use an electronic communication device to compose, send, or read
an electronic message while operating a motor vehicle on a
roadway.
(C) This section does
not apply to a person operating a motor vehicle while:
(1)
off the traveled portion of a roadway;
(2)
using an electronic communication device in hands-free,
voice-activated, or voice-operated mode that allows the user to
review, prepare and transmit an electronic message without the
use of either hand except to activate, deactivate, or initiate a
feature or function;
(3)
summoning medical or other emergency assistance; or
(4)
using a citizens band radio, commercial two-way radio
communication device, in-vehicle security, or amateur or ham
radio device.
(D) A person who
violates this section where no great bodily injury or death
resulted from the violation, is guilty of misdemeanor distracted
driving and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than one
hundred dollars, pay a twenty-five dollar Trauma Care Fund
surcharge in accordance with Section 56-5-3897, and have two
points assessed against his driving record in accordance with
Section 56-1-720. The fine is subject to all applicable court
costs, assessments, and surcharges.
(E) This section
preempts local ordinances, regulations, and resolutions adopted
by municipalities, counties, and other local government entities
regarding persons using hand-held and hands-free wireless
electronic communication devices while operating motor vehicles
on the public streets and highways of this State.
(F) Nothing in this
section is intended to conflict with enforcement of applicable
restrictions or requirements imposed on commercial motor vehicle
operators pursuant to the federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations."

SECTION 2. Article 31,
Chapter 5, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 56-5-3895.
(A) A person using an electronic
communication device while as prohibited by Section 56-5-3890
and while operating that motor vehicle commits an act prohibited
by law or neglects a duty imposed by law in the operation of the
motor vehicle, which act or neglect proximately causes great
bodily injury or death to another person, is guilty of the
offense of felony improper use of an electronic communication
device while operating a vehicle and, upon conviction, must be
punished: (1)
by a mandatory fine of not less than two thousand five
hundred dollars nor more than five thousand dollars and
mandatory imprisonment for not less than thirty days nor more
than five years when great bodily injury results; or
(2)
by a mandatory fine of not less than five thousand dollars
nor more than ten thousand dollars and mandatory imprisonment
for not less than one year nor more than ten years when death
results.
A part of the mandatory sentences required
to be imposed by this section must not be suspended, and
probation may not be granted for any portion.
(B) As used in this
section, 'great bodily injury' means bodily injury which creates
a substantial risk of death or which causes serious, permanent
disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function
of any bodily member or organ.
The Department of Motor Vehicles must
suspend the driver's license of a person who is convicted or who
receives sentence upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere
pursuant to this section for one year for a conviction of
Section 56-5-3895 when 'great bodily injury' occurs, and two
years when a death occurs. For suspension purposes of this
section, convictions arising out of a single incident shall run
concurrently.
(C) An additional one
hundred dollar surcharge for each fine imposed pursuant to this
section must be placed into the Trauma Care Fund pursuant to
Section 56-5-3897."

SECTION 3. Article 31,
Chapter 5, Title 56 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 56-5-3897.
Monies received by the Trauma Care Fund pursuant to
56-5-3890, 56-5-3895 and 56-5-3897 must be deposited with the
city or county treasurer, as applicable, for remittance to the
State Treasurer. The State Treasurer shall deposit the Trauma
Care Fund surcharge in the South Carolina State Trauma Care
Fund. The Trauma Care Fund surcharge must not be used by the
Department of Health and Environmental Control for the payment
of the department's administrative or operating expenses or for
any purpose other than providing financial aid to participating
trauma care providers and grants related to trauma care in this
State. The Trauma Care Fund surcharge is not subject to the
provisions of Section 44-61-520(G)."

SECTION 4. Section
56-1-720 of the 1976 Code is amended to read:

"Section 56-1-720.
There is established a point system for the evaluation of
the operating record of persons to whom a license to operate
motor vehicles has been granted and for the determination of the
continuing qualifications of these persons for the privileges
granted by the license to operate motor vehicles. The system
shall have as its basic element a graduated scale of points
assigning relative values to the various violations in
accordance with the following schedule:
VIOLATION
POINTS
Reckless driving
6
Passing stopped school bus
6
Hit-and-run, property damages only
6
Driving too fast for conditions, or
speeding:
(1)
No more than 10 m.p.h. above the
posted limits
2
(2)
More than 10 m.p.h. but less than
25 m.p.h. above the
posted limits 4
(3)
25 m.p.h. or above the posted limits
6
Disobedience of any official traffic
control device
4
Disobedience to officer directing traffic
4
Failing to yield right of way
4
Driving on wrong side of road
4
Passing unlawfully
4
Turning unlawfully
4
Driving through or within safety zone
4
Failing to give signal or giving improper
signal for stopping, turning, or suddenly
decreased speed
4
Shifting lanes without safety precaution
2
Improper dangerous parking
2
Following too closely
4
Failing to dim lights
2
Operating with improper lights
2
Operating with improper brakes
4
Operating a vehicle in unsafe condition
2
Driving in improper lane
2
Improper backing
2 Distracted driving2."